The Zionist Organization of America contacted the regents of the University of Michigan and its president, Santa J. Ono, to learn what the school plans to do, starting this fall, to create a safer environment for Jewish students.
“The events of last year, particularly the Gaza protests and pro-Hamas demonstrations, led to disruptive, intimidating and threatening incidents that directly impacted Jewish students,” wrote Sheldon Freilich, president for ZOA’s Michigan region, in a letter provided to JNS on Monday.
He described how “numerous reports” had shown “alarming levels” of antisemitism at the university, as well as at other area schools.
“The incidents from last year are not isolated but part of a broader, disturbing trend of hostility towards Jewish students across the state,” Freilich wrote.
The ZOA leader recounted to the school’s administration that Jewish students felt unsafe and threatened by the protests, and that they experienced verbal harassment and disruptions of Jewish events.
Freilich wrote that the school’s “lack of effective intervention during these events was deeply concerning, and we believe it is crucial that the university address this issue before the new academic year begins.”
The letter ended with nine questions of Ono and the regents, which included requests for the guidelines used to determine when protests crossed the line into harassment and what safety protocols could protect Jewish students from violence.
“ZOA-MI is committed to working with the university to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs,” Freilich wrote. “We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter further and would be grateful for your prompt response.”
